Conversation Kit

Here are some ideas to get a conversation going and to ensure that everyone present gets to participate.

Members of the community can take part in or organize small group discussions of strategic issues and themes contributing to a vision or visions of a preferred future for Corangamite Shire in 2040 or beyond.

‘Kitchen conversations’ can take any form, and needless to say, can take place in any setting.

We encourage people to create or join an initial conversation, to reflect on it, and where possible come back for a further discussion of the issues and themes raised.

If you are gathering people together to talk about their preferred future for Corangamite Shire, a good way to start is to go around the room giving each person the opportunity to speak uninterrupted and for the others to listen with their full attention.

You should first explain to everyone present that this is not a time to criticise or reject any person’s idea.

Focus on the positive. Show people how to turn any negative commentary into proposals for positive change.

  • You could ask each person to present one idea at a time, moving from person to person till all are presented.

  • You could put everyone’s name in a hat and pull names out one at a time or use some other method to randomise the presentation of ideas so the more talkative don’t drown out the more thoughtful.

  • You could ask each person to summarise their idea with a two or three-word heading. You could write these headings down on cards (in their own words) and once the rounds of ideas are presented, then use the cards to prompt a group discussion on each idea.

  • You could ask people to identify which idea best supports their preferred future for Corangamite Shire and invite them to say why.

  • You could get people together a week or two later to discuss any new ideas and ask participants to reflect upon them and previously identified themes using any of the above techniques.

  • At the end you could gather up the individual written contributions and return them to the Shire for posting on the Community Vision website.

In the time of the global COVID-19 pandemic many things remain uncertain. Limits on public gatherings have meant we have to curtail planned face-to-face engagement activities. We will use digital technologies and online engagement methods to bring the Citizens Jury together. Please note that meetings of the public need to be conducted online or in another  COVID-safe manner. For the latest updates on COVID-19 safety restrictions visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

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